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As we ease into September, the lingering effects of summer heat, tropical storms, and early fall weather can still threaten your home’s power reliability. It may feel like the “quiet season,” but the reality is—power outages still happen. Here’s what homeowners need to know, and how Collaborative Services has your back. 1. September’s Unique Risks Heat Hangover: After sweltering summer, your AC systems and the electrical grid are still under stress. Storm Fronts: Tropical remnants and early fall storms bring gusty winds and lightning. Lightning Strikes: Can cause power surges even without a heavy storm. This makes surge protection and backup power essential for September. 2. Why Power Outages Still Happen Weather events like wind or thunderstorms can disrupt power without warning. Grid stress during hot late summer weeks can trigger rolling outages. Lightning may strike transformers or power lines, causing spikes or extended blackouts. 3. Surge Protection: Your First Defense A whole-home surge protector: Guards every outlet in your home. Costs far less in the long run than replacing a TV or refrigerator. Is a smart, affordable first step to weatherproof your electricity. 4. Generator Solutions: Portable vs. Generac Standby Portable Options: Affordable, manual, and useful for short-term outages. Effective when paired with a manual transfer switch. Generac Standby Generators: Automatic start, no manual effort required. Runs on natural gas or propane — seamless, long-lasting power. Protects your comfort when an outage strikes unexpectedly. 5. Fall Maintenance Checklist Now’s the perfect time for a generator tune-up. Make sure you: Replace oil & filters Run diagnostic tests Ensure remote monitoring (Mobile Link) is working Test surge protection systems A fall check-up means peace of mind when autumn storms hit. 6. Why Collaborative Services? PowerPro Premier Certified — the highest recognition from Generac. Local technicians, 24/7 support, and real-time mobile alerts. Multiple service solutions: surge protection, generator installs, and maintenance. Your home deserves expert protection, and we deliver. 7. Your September Prep Checklist Have a whole-home surge protector installed. Test your generator (if you have one). Book generator service (if you have one) Explored power options (portable vs. standby, if you have one). Save our number for storm service (936.228.2916). 8. Stay Secure as You Head into Fall September's storms and outages happen—preparation makes all the difference. Need help getting ready? Contact Collaborative Services for surge protection, generator options, or maintenance. We’ll help keep your power—and home—secure. We have the POWER, and so can YOU! As we ease into September , the lingering effects of summer heat, tropical storms, and early fall weather can still threaten your home’s power reliability. It may feel like the “quiet season,” but the reality is—power outages still happen. Here’s what homeowners need to know, and how Collaborative Services has your back.
Hurricane season is officially here, and summer storms are already wreaking havoc across the Houston area. From high winds and flooding to widespread power outages, these storms are unpredictable and often dangerous. At Collaborative Services, we believe in helping you protect your home, your family, and your peace of mind. A Generac whole-home generator plays a big role in keeping your home safe — even if you have to evacuate. We’ve put together a simple guide to the three stages of hurricane preparedness, with tips to keep you ready for whatever the season brings. 🌩️ Before the Hurricane: Prepare Early Preparation is everything. When a major storm is announced, stores quickly run out of essentials like water, batteries, and flashlights — and gas stations empty fast. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, the time to prepare is now. Here’s how you can get ahead of the rush: Make a plan. Choose a safe meeting place in case your family is separated, and establish a way to stay in touch. Build a disaster kit. Include: Water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days) 3 days’ worth of non-perishable food Flashlights & batteries First aid kit & medications Cell phone chargers & a whistle Important documents in a waterproof container Manual can opener, garbage bags, and pliers Fill your gas tank as soon as you hear a storm is approaching — gas supplies can run out quickly. Secure your home. Check windows, re-caulk or replace damaged ones. Install plywood or storm shutters if you’re in a high-wind area. Know your property’s elevation to assess flood risk. Fill bathtubs with water for emergency use. And don’t forget — power outages are almost guaranteed in a severe storm. That’s why installing a Generac whole-home generator is one of the most effective ways to protect your home. ⚡ Turns on automatically when the power goes out. ⚡ Runs on natural gas or propane — no need to refuel. ⚡ Keeps critical systems running — A/C, fridge, lights, and security systems — even if you have to evacuate. If you have to leave, your home stays powered and secure until you return. 🌪️ During the Hurricane: Stay Safe Indoors Once the storm begins, the most important thing is to keep yourself and your family safe. Here’s what to do: Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Find a safe interior room, closet, or bathroom on the lower level. If flooding is imminent, shut off electricity at the main breaker. Turn off major appliances like your water heater or A/C to prevent damage if power surges. Avoid using electrical equipment, phones, or showers — lightning can travel through wiring and plumbing. Don’t go outside, even if the storm seems to calm — the “eye” passes quickly, and winds return from the opposite direction. ⚠️ After the Hurricane: Stay Alert Even when the storm is over, the danger isn’t. Many injuries and accidents happen after the storm has passed. Stay safe with these tips: Remain indoors until officials declare it’s safe. Never touch downed or hanging power lines — or anything in contact with them. Avoid standing water near wires or electrical equipment. Use phones only for emergencies. Watch for weakened structures like roads, trees, and porches. Check refrigerated food for spoilage before eating. If using a portable generator, never operate it indoors. Your Generac whole-home generator can keep your fridge, lights, and security systems working — reducing risks and making recovery easier. 🛑 If You’re Told to Evacuate If you live in a flood-prone area or near the coast, you may be asked to evacuate. Plan ahead: Know your evacuation route and destination. Bring important documents, ID, medications, food, baby supplies, and bedding. If staying at a shelter, remember: Only service animals are allowed. Meals may be delayed — bring snacks. Bring games, books, and flashlights to pass the time. When you leave, a Generac generator from Collaborative Services can keep your home powered and protected — even while you’re away. 🔷 Be Ready Before the Next Storm Hits Hurricane season is unpredictable, but your home doesn’t have to be vulnerable. At Collaborative Services, we install and maintain Generac whole-home generators that automatically protect your home — whether you’re there or not. ✅ Automatic backup power ✅ Runs on natural gas or propane ✅ Keeps your home safe and functional during outages ✅ Available installation appointments now! 📞 Call us today at 936.228.2916 🌐 Visit CollaborativeServicesTX.com We have the POWER, and so can YOU!
As we move into the heart of storm season 2025, Texas residents know that weather can change fast — and power outages can strike without warning. Whether it’s hurricanes, tropical storms, or intense wind and rain, the threat to your home’s safety and comfort is real. At Collaborative Services, we’ve already started getting calls from homeowners looking to secure reliable backup power. And we can’t say it strongly enough: now is the time to prepare. The Rising Threat: Why Storm Season Is No Longer Predictable In recent years, we’ve seen increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Hurricanes are forming earlier, lasting longer, and causing more widespread outages than ever before. For many Texas families, that means: No air conditioning during a heat wave Spoiled food in fridges and freezers Loss of internet, security systems, or medical equipment access Increased stress during an already dangerous situation The solution? A dependable, whole-home standby generator that automatically powers your home the moment the grid goes down. Why a Generac Standby Generator Is the Smart Choice At Collaborative Services, we proudly install and maintain Generac generators — the most trusted name in backup power. These units are: Automatic: They turn on the second an outage is detected. Powerful: They can run your entire home — A/C, fridge, lights, and more. Fuel-Efficient: Connected to natural gas or propane for continuous use. Low-Maintenance: With Mobile Link™ remote monitoring and tailored alerts. Whether it’s a 2-hour outage or a 5-day blackout, a Generac standby generator keeps your home safe and functional. We’re Also Your Go-To Team for Service & Maintenance Already have a generator? Don’t wait until the next storm to realize it’s not working. We offer: Oil changes & filter replacements Diagnostic checks & error light troubleshooting Surge protection installs Remote monitoring setup Whole-home generator maintenance plans Don’t forget: A properly maintained generator performs better under pressure — and lasts longer. Storm Season 2025: Here’s What You Should Do Right Now Schedule a free site visit – We’ll help determine the right system for your home. Check your current generator – If you already have one, let us service it before the next big storm. Ask about current promos – Warranty and financing offers may still be available. Talk to your family – Make backup power part of your emergency plan. Stay Powered. Stay Protected. Stay Ready. Collaborative Services is proud to be a PowerPro Premier Certified Generac Dealer — the highest level of recognition from Generac. We don’t just sell generators. We install, monitor, and maintain them year-round so our neighbors in Texas are never left in the dark. 📞 Call us today at 936.228.2916 🌐 Visit us at CollaborativeServicesTX.com We have the POWER, and so can YOU.
When the power goes out, life can come to a grinding halt. While a portable generator might keep a few essential appliances running, it often falls short of maintaining the comforts and safety of your entire household. A standby generator, on the other hand, offers a robust solution that allows you to continue life as usual during power outages. Here’s why investing in a standby generator, particularly a Generac model, is one of the best decisions you can make for your home. 1. Unmatched Power for the Whole Home A portable generator may suffice if you only need to power essentials like your refrigerator and a few lights. But what happens when you want to maintain your entire home’s functionality, including high-demand appliances like heating and air conditioning systems? A standby generator is the answer. Standby generators provide a high power output that can meet the electrical demands of an entire household. Whether it’s keeping your HVAC system running, ensuring your home entertainment system stays active, or powering all your kitchen appliances, a standby generator does it all without you having to compromise. With a standby generator, there’s no need to choose between hot water, heating, fresh food, and well-lit rooms. You can maintain your standard of living even during extended power outages. 2. Safety and Reliability: Generac's Promise Generac standby generators are renowned for their safety and reliability. Here’s why: Uncompromised Safety Protocols: Generac generators are designed with advanced safety features to prevent accidents and ensure reliable operation. Robust Build, Resilient Performance: Built to withstand harsh conditions, Generac generators offer consistent performance when you need it most. Consistent Energy Supply: Generac’s innovative technology ensures a steady and reliable energy supply during power outages. Tailored Maintenance Alerts: Generac’s systems are equipped with tailored maintenance alerts, helping you keep your generator in optimal condition year-round. 3. Versatile Fuel Options: Convenience at Its Best One of the standout features of Generac standby generators is their fuel versatility. Unlike portable generators, which often require frequent refueling, Generac generators can operate on natural gas or liquid propane (LP), eliminating the need for constant monitoring and refueling. Natural Gas: The Effortless Flow: Natural gas offers a continuous fuel supply, ensuring your generator runs as long as you need it. Liquid Propane: A Resilient Reservoir: For those who prefer or require propane, LP is a resilient and reliable fuel source. Fuel Versatility: The Ultimate Convenience: The ability to switch between natural gas and propane provides flexibility and peace of mind, particularly during extended outages. 4. Automatic Power Backup: Effortless and Uninterrupted Generac standby generators are designed to kick in automatically the moment a power outage is detected. This feature is not just about convenience—it’s about maintaining your comfort and security with minimal disruption. The generator’s automatic transfer switch seamlessly transitions your home’s power source from the grid to the generator, ensuring that your lights stay on, your appliances continue running, and your home remains safe and comfortable. Instantaneous Detection and Response: Generac generators detect power outages instantaneously and respond without any manual intervention. Seamless Transition: The automatic transfer switch ensures a smooth transition, so you hardly notice the changeover. 5. Stay Connected with Mobile Link Remote Monitoring With Generac’s Mobile Link Remote Monitoring, you can keep tabs on your generator from anywhere. This innovative feature allows real-time monitoring and management of your generator through a convenient mobile app, ensuring that you’re always informed about your generator’s status, even when you’re not at home. Real-Time Monitoring: Keep an eye on your generator’s performance and status from your smartphone. Maintenance Alerts and Reminders: Receive timely notifications for maintenance, ensuring your generator is always ready to perform. 6. Why Generac Stands Out: A Trusted Brand Generac is the #1 selling brand of home standby generators, and for good reason. Their reputation for quality, performance, and customer satisfaction is unmatched. Choosing Generac means choosing a brand that homeowners trust to keep their homes powered and safe during outages. 7. Operating Your Standby Generator Safely While a standby generator is a powerful tool, it’s important to operate it safely to prevent accidents, injuries, or property damage. Here are some essential safety tips: Always Operate Outdoors: Generac generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly gas that must be vented outdoors. Never run your generator inside or in an enclosed space. Safe Placement: Position your generator at least 20 feet away from your home, windows, doors, and any air intake vents to prevent CO from entering your living spaces. Protection from the Elements: Ensure your generator is placed on a stable, dry surface and protected from rain and snow. 8. Essential Protection: Use a Carbon Monoxide Detector Even with proper outdoor placement, CO can still pose a risk. That’s why it’s crucial to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially near sleeping areas. These detectors provide an added layer of protection, alerting you to any presence of CO, even when the power is out. Proper Placement and Maintenance: Install detectors on every level of your home and near every sleeping area. Test them regularly and replace the batteries twice a year. 9. The Collaborative Services Difference Collaborative Services is a PowerPro Premier Certified Generac dealer, the highest level of certification offered by Generac. We specialize in residential and commercial standby generator installation, providing turnkey solutions to get your Generac generator up and running quickly and efficiently. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond installation with 24/7 repair services and preventative maintenance plans tailored to the needs of Texas residents. 10. Prepare for Storms and Blackouts with Confidence As hurricane season winds down but remains a threat, it’s critical to protect your family and home from potential power outages. Proper generator maintenance, along with storm preparedness, can make all the difference. Ensure your generator is ready to perform when you need it most, and take the necessary steps to prepare your home for the next storm. Conclusion A Generac standby generator is more than just a backup power source—it’s a lifeline that ensures your home remains safe, comfortable, and functional during power outages. With its reliable performance, fuel versatility, automatic operation, and safety features, a Generac generator offers peace of mind that few other home appliances can match. At Collaborative Services, we’re here to help you find the perfect generator solution for your home. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services. We have the POWER, and so can YOU!
It's safe to say that we never realize how much we rely on power until the electricity goes out. When it does go out unexpectedly, we become aware very quickly. Our appliances no longer function, our entertainment options become limited, and, as evidenced during the winter storm of February 2021, safety can become a very real concern. As the grid continues to age and becomes more stressed by the increasing population, these issues will only grow. The solution to these issues is to take control of your power. For many Texans, an installed whole-home standby backup Generac generator has become the next most essential home appliance (right after the air conditioner). When the electric utility supply is interrupted during a blackout, we can count on our backup generators to do their job until the power is restored. Generac generators provide power exactly when and where we need it the most, automatically and instantly, with no hassle for the user. They help keep our lights on, our homes cool (or warm), our food safe from spoiling, water pumps pumping, and so much more. Your home operates as it should always operate. Despite these great reasons and more to have a backup generator, one main concern that most people have regarding these special appliances is the noise level. Because many of us reside in communities governed by homeowners or property owners associations, or by city regulations, we must take these noise factors into consideration. How Loud is a Backup Generator? As you probably already know, sounds are measured in decibels (dB). What you might not know is that a standby generator is actually not as loud as you would think. If you consider that a typical air conditioner registers at 68dB, running a Generac whole-home generator should not be an issue, noise-wise. That’s right, a Guardian series Generac whole-home generator comes in at just 66dB. Here’s a list of common sounds and their average decibel levels for comparison: Whisper - 30dB Normal conversation - 60dB Washing machine - 70dB Traffic - 80dB Lawnmower - 90dB Motorcycle - 95dB Football game - 100dB Concert - 110dB Fire/smoke alarm - 120dB Sound up to 70dB is generally okay, but noises that remain above 70dB for a prolonged period can damage your ears. Really loud noises, like those above 120dB, can cause hearing loss immediately. Without getting too deep into mathematics, the decibel scale is a logarithmic one, meaning that an increase of 3 decibels doubles sound intensity, but it’s not until a 10dB increase that you perceive the sound to be twice as loud. Noise Levels of Popular Generators Besides cost, the noise level is the most common inquiry we get regarding whole-home generators. Here’s how our Generac generators compare to the competition: Generac - 66dB Briggs & Stratton - 64dB Kohler - 69dB Each of these brands has designed their line of residential generators to reduce noise levels, as they are specifically used in populated areas with neighbors to consider, not to mention the homeowners themselves. For example, you will notice that the enclosure has been created in a very clever way, conceived to mitigate a certain amount of noise emitting from the motor itself. Can You Reduce the Noise from a Generator? If you still find the noise level from your generator to be an issue, there are a few options available to further reduce it: Acoustic Sound Barriers: These barriers deflect the noise from heading in a specific direction and are perfect for when the sound is carrying into an area you want to change. There are several versions available, from freestanding, portable versions to more permanent solutions. Sound-Absorbing Enclosure/Barrier Box: This option mitigates some of the noise from your backup generator and protects it from the elements. In addition to reducing noise, they can also provide a more decorative solution for having a permanent generator for your home. Pro tip: seal the edges and gaps of your enclosure/barrier box with acoustic caulk or foil tape. Vibration Dampening Mounts: Also known as isolation mounts, these reduce the amplitude and frequency of vibration waves made by your generator. These mounts, often made of rubber, help keep the shaking caused by the generator from reaching a structure such as your home or garage by absorbing the movements. A good sound barrier can reduce the noise coming from your generator by up to 20 decibels. You can reduce it by an additional 7 decibels by adding a sound absorption material inside the generator box. Many of these options can be DIY projects by following online instructions or purchased from several retailers (home improvement, tool and equipment, or online stores, etc.). If you choose to alter your generator or surround it with an enclosure, it is important to consult a professional and ensure that you aren't going to void the warranty or cause damage to your unit, or anything else. Do You Have Any Questions? We love to answer all inquiries regarding Generac's whole-home (or business) generators, including those about noise. We have the POWER, and so can YOU! Contact us today to learn more about our backup power solutions and how we can help you enjoy a quieter, more reliable power source.
